Glastonbury Family's Civil War Artifacts Loaned For Exhibit

Connecticut Civil War soldier Francis Hale memorabilia is on display at the Historical Society of Glastonbury museum. He was the son of Samuel Hale, one of the founders of Hartford. Francis Oliver Hale was one of Glastonbury's first settlers.

GLASTONBURY — Gilbert Hale pondered what to do with the display case in his basement filled with memorabilia from his great-grandfather, Francis Oliver Hale.

As the last male descendant of the Hale family, which helped settle Glastonbury, he decided it was time to share it.

"With it being a celebration year, I thought this would be a great time to let the people of Glastonbury see the collection," he said. "A lot of things get thrown away over the years, but being the last descendent, I felt I had an obligation to make sure these were preserved."

This year is the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, and Hale's great-grandfather fought in the conflict. His collection, now on display at the Museum on the Green, operated by the Historical Society of Glastonbury, contains items from the war. Included are bullets, a cannonball from the Port Hudson, La., battlefield where Francis Hale fought, and a straight razor he got from a Confederate soldier in exchange for chewing tobacco.

"I love the objects that come with a story," Gilbert Hale said.

His great-grandfather began his service with the 25th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Company H. on Nov. 14, 1862, when he sailed with 810 men from Hartford for Centerville, Long Island, and on to the mouth of the Missisippi River.

"They immediately began up the river," according to one of the museum displays. "At one point, the boat was seven miles in advance of the army, and in a very exposed and dangerous position. They were frequently under severe fire until the remainder of the army joined them and they marched to Port Hudson. At the front of the land forces, they watched as [Admiral David] Farragut sailed by the forts in the Hartford and witnessed the grand bombardment."

"With 25 percent never coming home, everyone who did were heroes," Gilbert Hale said. "If you made it through that, it was quite a thing ... I'm proud of a man who goes to war and serves and makes it back home."

The men of the 25th Regiment were remembered by the state legislature in 1864 for their service.

"This is one of the best of our nine months regiments, and bore a conspicuous part in the advance upon and campaign preceding the fall of Port Hudson. By the bravery always displayed on the field of battle and the patient endurance manifested on many long and arduous marches, it has won for itself a high and lasting reputation."

Francis Hale was a descendant of Samuel Hale, one of the original settlers and founders of Hartford. The collection includes old photos along with artifacts that "provide a glimpse into early American culture," from a Grand Army of the Republic medal to circa-1865 ice skates made in the Curtisville section of town. The skates were fastened to shoes by driving a nail through the heel.

Curator Lin Scarduzio said the historic society tries to bring in new exhibits frequently.

"There is so much in the collection and in people's basements that no one gets to see. This is a good way to get things out and seen."

Phyllis Reed, a cousin of Hale's and the society librarian, urged him to loan the collection for the display that runs through November.

"I used to say, 'Gee Buzz, why don't you give it to the society so people could see it.' I got him to loan it to us for a while. The Civil War is a big part of Glastonbury's history. There were a great many Glastonbury young people that served. Some came home and some didn't. This is kind of a reminder that it took a great number of our boys."

The museum, on the corner of Main Street and Hubbard Street, is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the third Sunday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.